8 Landscape and Visual

8.1 Introduction

8.1.1 The EIA has recommended landscape and visual mitigation measures to be undertaken during construction and operation phases of the Project. This Section defines the EM&A requirements to ensure the proposed landscape and visual impact mitigation measures are effectively implemented.

8.2 Baseline Monitoring

8.2.1 An landscape auditor (as a member of the ET) shall be responsible for conducting the baseline review and monitoring the implementation of landscape and visual mitigation measures during construction phase in accordance with the EIA Report.

8.2.2 Baseline changes with respect to the landscape and visual environmental should be carried out in reference to the recorded baseline conditions of the site as described in Section 10 of the EIA. The monitoring should in particular record changes of each landscape resource, landscape character area and the view conditions of each visually sensitive receiver. Parameters used to describe changes in each of the above should be the same as in Section 10 of EIA.

8.2.3 The baseline monitoring should be conducted as a one-off site survey prior to commencement of any construction works.

Construction Phase

Baseline Review

8.2.4 A baseline review shall be undertaken at the commencement of the construction contracts. The purpose of the review is:

· to check the status of the landscape resources within, and immediately adjacent to, the construction sites and works areas

· to determine whether any change has occurred to the status of the landscape resources since the EIA

· to determine whether amendments in the design of the landscape and visual mitigation measures are required for those changes

· to recommend any necessary amendments to the design of the landscape and visual mitigation measures

Design of Landscape and Visual Mitigation Measures

8.2.5 The landscape and visual mitigation measures shall be incorporated to ensure the mitigation effect and achieve the intended aims as described in Tables 8.2 and 8.3. Any changes to the mitigation measures that may be recommended as a result of the Baseline Review or ongoing Monitoring of the Design, Construction and Establishment Works shall be taken into account.

Landscape and Visual Monitoring

8.2.6 The design, implementation and maintenance of landscape and visual mitigation measures shall be checked monthly to ensure that they are fully required. Any potential conflicts between the proposed landscape measures and any other project works or operational requirements shall also be recorded for the Contractor to resolve in early stage, without compromising the intention of the mitigation measures.

Operational Phase

Landscape and Visual Monitoring

8.2.7 All landscape and visual mitigation measures shall be monitored monthly during the first year of the Operational Phase to ensure that the effectiveness of the mitigations.

8.3 Event and Action Plan

8.3.1 Should non-compliance of the landscape and visual impacts occur, actions in accordance with the action plan stated in Table 8.1 should be carried out.

^{Table
8.1 Event
and Action Plan for Landscape and Visual Impact - Construction Phase}

Action Level

Environmental Team Leader (ETL)

Independent Environmental Checker (IEC)

Engineer’s Representative (ER)

Contractor

Non-conformity on one occasion

1. Identify source

2. Inform the IEC and the ER

3. Discuss remedial actions with the IEC, the ER and the Contractor

4. Monitor remedial action until rectification has been completed

1. Check report

2. Check the Contractor’s working method

3. Discuss with the ER and the Contractor on possible remedial measures

4. Advise the ER on effectiveness of proposed remedial measures

1. Notify the Contractor

2. Ensure remedial measures are properly implemented

1. Amend working methods

2. Rectify damage and undertake remedial measures or any necessary replacement

Repeated Non-conformity

1. Identify source

2. Inform the IEC and the ER

3. Increase monitoring (site audit) frequency

4. Discuss remedial actions with the IEC, the ER and the Contractor

5. Monitor remedial actions until rectification has been completed

6. If exceedance stops, cease additional monitoring (site audit)

1. Check report

2. Check the Contractor’s working method

3. Discuss with the ER and the Contractor on possible remedial measures

4. Advise the ER on effectiveness of proposed remedial measures

5. Supervise implementation of remedial measures

1. Notify the Contractor

2. Ensure remedial measures are properly implemented

1. Amend working methods

2. Rectify damage and undertake remedial measures or any necessary replacement

8.4 Mitigation Measures

8.4.1 Landscape and visual mitigation measures in the construction and operation are listed in Tables 8.2 and 8.3 below, together with an indication of Funding, Implementation and Maintenance Agencies. Approval-in-principle to the implementation, management and maintenance of the proposed mitigation measures is sought from the appropriate authorities are indicated in Table 8.2 and Table 8.3; according to the principles in WBTC 14/2002. Generally, all landscape and visual mitigation measures are to be implemented as early as possible and they are illustrated in Appendix A.

^{Table
8.2 Proposed
Construction Phase Landscape and Visual Mitigation Measures}

ID No.	Landscape and Visual Mitigation Measures	Funding Agency	Implementation Agency
CM1¹	Topsoil, where identified, should be stripped and stored for re-use in the construction of the soft landscape works, where practical.	HyD	HyD
CM2¹	Existing trees to be retained on site should be carefully protected during construction.	HyD	HyD
CM3	Trees unavoidably affected by the works should be transplanted where practical.	HyD	HyD
CM4	Compensatory tree planting should be provided to compensate for felled trees.	HyD	HyD
CM5¹	Control of night-time lighting.	HyD	HyD
CM6	Erection of decorative screen hoarding compatible with the surrounding setting.	HyD	HyD

Note: (1) HyD shall be responsible for the implementation of road works and associated amenity landscape areas; refer to Good Site Practices.

^{Table
8.3 Proposed
Operation Phase Landscape and Visual Mitigation Measures}

ID No.	Landscape and Visual Mitigation Measures	Funding Agency	Implementation Agency	Maintenance/ Management Agency
OM1	Aesthetic design of road-related structures, including noise barriers and enclosure.	HyD	HyD	HyD
OM2	Shrub planting to soften and screen proposed roads and associated structures.	HyD	HyD	LCSD/HyD
OM3	Tree and Shrub Planting in the central strip	HyD	HyD	LCSD/HyD
OM5	Area reinstated to match former condition	HyD	HyD	LCSD
OM1	Aesthetic design of road-related structures, including noise barriers and enclosure.	HyD	HyD	HyD

Note: (1) HyD shall be responsible for the maintenance and management for hard streetscape works and LCSD shall be responsible for the maintenance and management of soft landscape works.